Mabuhay! Kia ora! Welcome!
I am delighted to celebrate the beginning of a new season that is Kōanga (Spring) here in Aotearoa (New Zealand). With the wettest Hōtoke (Winter) had, I do look forward to dryer grounds and spending a lot more time outdoors sinking my feet into the earth and soaking in some much needed rays of sunlight. I hope that you too are filling your space with positive vibes wherever you are in the world in all that you maybe doing!
My son and I have officially landed home from our Adventures in the US and I think jetlag is finally making its exit! Here I will share with you some highlights from the trip, what I have been up to since I have been home and up and coming events on the calendar.
Make yourself a cup of tea, pull up a chair, enjoy and relax into some down time with my latest blog!
Nga mihinui
Sez x
Reset, Refocus, Rid of the things that no longer serve you
Creating rituals of regular cleansing is something that holds huge importance in my life. Being conscious and taking action in letting go and clearing the pathway is essential for growth and inner peace. The infectious and deeply purifying energy of Kōanga always makes me feel so motivated at times of decluttering, so the past week has been a time for nesting, debriefing and reflecting upon both my personal and professional spaces.
My 6am Grind Taha Ora Fitness family consists of a handful of women (and sometimes the odd male) who come from different background, professions and age groups. We turn up at the same time and same place 5 days a week for the same reason which is to build and motivate each other through health, fitness and wellbeing, working towards whatever goals we each undertake whether it be a long term or short term gain. They have been working hard with the eight week challenge currently in its 5th week and one of the ladies just competed in the East Coast NABBAS bodybuilding comps in celebration of her 50th birthday! So very inspiring! I have some catching up to do but it definitely feels good to be chasing endorphins again!
I thoroughly enjoyed exploring different and tasty foods while on vacation! All good things must come to an end and I am happy to be all loved up again in my kitchen creating clean and nutritional eats and treats to compliment the cleansing ritual. Seafood of prawns and seaweed has been my latest flavour with some deep earthy beetroot and berries!
The Itch of the Green Fingers
I spent the first day of Spring in Whangarā just 20 minutes north of Tūranga (Gisborne) with the whānau (family) of the Kai Oranga programme. A new an exciting one year of wānanga (sharing and learning) on companion planting, maramataka, rongoa, permaculture, hua parakore just to name a few. All accordingly to the Māori Calendar. Although I feel like my plate is so very full, this workshop comes close to home for my passion in clean eating, health and wellbeing and I know I would kick myself if I turned down such an awesome opportunity. It is another episode of 'Say yes now and figure out the rest later' for me. The unusually Wintry weather did not put a damper on this beautiful day being part of a fantastic kaupapa! It was also a reflective time I had with my own garden that has seen better days and I feel my green fingers itch as I dream about my garden plan and work towards making it a reality!
The Introduction day to Kai Oranga kicked off with a debrief of the programme and we got to sow some seeds of our choice. Here I chose two types of beans, peas and tobacco!
There is something extra profound and extra mystical about this cycle's full moon!
Studio Vibes
Good to be back in my studio again to clear the space, manifest more beautiful energy, dust the shelves and give my plants some tlc!
With a lifetime of catch ups birthed this contemporary family tree tattoo, I created for my dear cousin who I haven't seen since I was still a youngin at Nuhaka School! The first tattoo piece for my return home. It was a beautiful time bonding with Sara and her tamariki (children). More whakapapa (bloodline) for my tamariki to connect and link with!
Family is Everything!
But of course the biggest highlight of returning home is to be in the arms of my beloved family again! These guys keep me grounded, keep me real and are my inspiration and driving force in all that I do. Blessed are we!
100 Days Solo Exhibition
The 100 Days solo exhibitions are well and truly in full form at the Tairāwhiti Museum with Kataraina and Terangi already showcased and Todd currently up and running! Be sure to get there if you haven't already! I will be busy in the next few weeks with a couple of things up my sleeve readying for mine in October. Watch this space!
Tatak Ng Apat Na Alon
Due to an event cancellation to Australia, I made a spontaneous decision to fly my son Honor and I to the US for a two week adventure to visit our Mark of the Four Waves tribe family.
Our purpose was to join in the birthday celebrations of Kuya (brother) Elle and everything else that came after was a bonus.
We departed Aotearoa in full Winter form and arrived in rising Summer temperatures of LAX with carry on bags heavy with jackets and woolie hats! Safe and sound travels with 5 year old Honor who was super excited to join māmā on his first international adventure.
An epic day celebrating Elle's birthday packed full of family, sun, swimming, love, lots and lots of kai (food) and laughs!
Missing our whānau in Aotearoa didn't feel so bad when we were surrounded in the loving energy of these guys!
Zel took us on a tour of the very grand mansion that is the family home where the birthday was held. This photo? I just had to! LOL